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Monday, May 9, 2016

Kentucky Oaks 2016

I mentioned Oaks the other day and many people asked me what it was - basically, it is the same thing as the Kentucky Derby. It's just the day before, less people and it is cheaper. We've been to the Derby 3 times now (2012, 2014, 2015) and Oaks once before (2013) so we thought it was about time we attended Oaks again instead of the Derby.

Like I explained in my Guide to the Kentucky Derby post, the 'Derby' is a day but also a race during the day, if that makes sense. Oaks is the same - the day itself is called Oaks, but there is also a race called Oaks, and it is the big one. It's also all female horses and the winner is awarded a garland of lilies (as well as $1 million), so it's dubbed lilies for the fillies.

Another fun thing about Oaks is the pink out. Churchill Downs is decorated in pink, and they partner with Bright Pink (the only national non profit organisation for breast cancer) and guests are encouraged to include pink in their attire. Churchill Downs donates $50,000 and there is a survivors parade and a fashion contest.

All in all, Oaks really is a fun day, just as fun as the Derby. Lots of people come in from out of town and do the whole weekend, but we haven't done both (yet....). It's a bit much! Naturally, I took about 75 million photos... It was a gorgeous day, not a drop of rain (unfortunately can't say the same for the Derby goers!). We might already be planning next year..

But guys. There were SO many teenagers there that I thought I walked into a highschool dance. It was insane. And they were all so rude! One girl asked me to take a photo and when I gave her back her phone she looked at me, rolled her eyes and said to her friend 'it'll do for now' and I wanted to slap her and say bitch you weren't even alive when phones/instagram were invented so respect your elders. But I didn't.

Also, so many people without shoes. I could write a whole post about that, but I won't. Attention, if you ever want to go to the Derby and you don't read my guide, at least read this: Do NOT wear heels. DON'T DO IT. I love heels, I wear them all the time and can run in them if need be (a short distance, lets not get crazy) and I wore heels to the Derby once and it was enough for me. Seriously, trust me - don't do it.

Two more things to address: I unfortunately did not get a lily! I can't believe it. It's my favourite drink, but I guess the day got away from me and I just stuck with beer. Also, I misspelled the word obviously on snapchat. In all fairness it was very sunny and hard to see, I promise I wasn't so drunk that I forgot how to spell. Once I saw it, I was tempted to delete it I was that embarrassed but yolo, I guess?

Unless that's a capital I... but I don't think it is. So I apologise, obviously I know how to spell obviously. I do think I won a bit of money on that horse.. maybe not 1st place but something. Overall, we came out even I think. Which is better than losing money!

It was a super fun day, got just a little sunburn which is better than normal. Was home by 7pm I think? Woke up hangover free, cleaned my entire house and then did brunch on Sunday and watched North & South... twice.

KC was very sick on Thursday night & Friday, hence the need for bleach on Saturday. Hashtag marriage y'all. He hasn't been that sick since London in 2010 (and you all remember the hotel story...) so it was a bit odd and I hope it doesn't happen again for at least another 6 years.

71 comments:

Okay first of all - YOU LOOKED FRICKING AMAZING!! I just wanted to use the real F word, but I try not to do that on other bloggers pages lol. I thought that before/after snap was genius lol. Also, you must be really good at doing hair. And secondly...this looks so fricking fun. I seriously just loved all your snaps that day, about the teenagers especially lol. Don't they have school?!!? They can't even drink!!

As I viewed your bright, sunshiny, warm looking pictures all I could think was, "Man, what a difference a day makes." If you compared my pictures to your pictures, no one would ever believe that they were taken at the same place in the same town within a 24 hour period! LOL! My friends and I wore jackets at Thurby and some Thurbygoers bought blankets and wrapped themselves up in them! So glad that mother nature played nice for you on Oaks.

I laughed when I read the part where you explained that not only is there a specific horse race called the Kentucky Oaks, but the day referred to by locals as "the Oaks" and likewise with the Derby. I've had to make that clarification a few times myself! All this Kentucky horse racing tradition stuff can get confusing! LOL! Very glad that I'm not the only one.

Girlllll you looked amazing for The Oaks! Such a fun event, and the pink out sounds like my kinda place! Sorry KC was sick, that sounds awful but yay for bleach and not getting sick too! Cheers to a fabulous week gurlie <3Green Fashionista

such a good review. i really love the oaks. sometimes i tell people to go to the oaks instead of derby especially bc it's cheaper and less people. and the pink out looks really really cool. love that they are still doing that :) loved your snaps! and yes to flats and awesome people watching. go away teenagers lol

I guess since they let school out now for Oaks, its just the place to be for the high schoolers. YOUTHS of today... totally a different attitude - thats for sure.You look AMAZING.. your make up, your hair, your dress. All spot on.Glad to see you & your girl back out at the track together.& hope the hubby is feeling better. When bleach is involved, my freak out germaphobe meter is off the scale.

Wow! I never heard of the Oaks before but it sounds so fun! And ... I love the idea of all female horses (girl power!) and the pink out! You looked smashing in your RTR frock and I loved your hair!!! Make today work, Rachel -CubicleCouture

Looks like so much fun! LOOOOVE your hair and dress and hat - You look so glamorous!I do hate it when you go somewhere that is obviously (haha on the misspelling story!) supposed to be fancy-dress and people are wearing tshirts and flipflops.

How awesome, I had no clue that there was a big event the day before the Derby. Smart choice going with the flats, so much better to walk around in. I can't believe kids these days, they are so obsessed with the perfect photo. I love both of your guys' outfits, so cute!

I totally didn't even notice the typo in your snap-- and to be fair it does totally look like a capital i ;) I can't believe that girl over the picture you took for her-- people need to tone down the rudeness! More importantly you guys looked amazing! I love your dress and the whole pink theme sounds like so much fun! I hope KC is feeling better-- when someone is that sick it's the worst!

Great photos! I've only been to Churchill Downs once (well, three times total but two of those were running through) and never for the Oaks or Derby. I'm not a crowd person ... but I love seeing all the fancy hats and possible celebrity sightings. Also, I don't know anything about betting on horses so I'd lose everything for sure. Probably better that I don't go. :)

You looked amazing, Kristen! And I love the hats. That is one of my favorite things about the Derby/Oaks, the dresses and hats. I can understand why you rock the flats for it too. Hope KC is feeling better!

You guys looked so so beautiful in your dresses and hats! Cutest girls out there! I followed along via Snap as well and wtf - why were there so many teenagers there? I hate them. The worst part is that my daughter is growing into one so I cant escape the sass ever! It is in my house and I get that eyeroll like 2545246341 times a day.

You looked so pretty for Oaks! You had a great dress picked out from Rent The Runway, and I love your hair and makeup! I can't even imagine wearing heels to an event that you know that you're going to be standing all day! Hopefully this was just their rookie mistake. And I can't believe how rude that teenager was! If you don't like your picture then maybe you should just say thanks but can we get another one. Manners children, manners!

SO FUN SO FUN!! Yes, I absolutely want to go to Derby or Oaks one day! I love it! :) So festive. I've been home wanting mint juleps and to dress up! hehe I am definitely going to pin your guide for future use. I would love to love heels... but ever since I broke my foot.. they are a no-go. And to be real, I was always uncomfortable in them even before the break.. so maybe it means nothing! :P Bummer about the lack of lily and KC being sick, but I am glad you had a great and productive weekend. Btw, I like the pink dress! :) XO - Alexandra

Omg teenagers are the worst! You two looked amazing!! I remember seeing your snaps and thinking "where did all that hair come from?! GF has some skills!" Haha!! What a fun day! I'd love to go one day. Or even to just a party in honour of it ;)

You looked amazing! Sounds like a fun event. I'd go to the Derby at least once... because its the Derby... but I'd probably end up going to the Oaks after that. I'm not crazy about big crowds. And ugh. Teenagers are the worst. I honestly feel like I became an old woman at 22. It was at that point that I really started hating all the teenagers of the world.

You gals look awesome, all glam-ified! And ew on the nasty girl teenager. They ruin everything (I'll keep saying that until my daughter is a teenager). Looks like a fun day out. Hope the hubs is feeling better today.

I am so glad you decided to wear the dress because it looks so good on you!!! And that hair!!! So jealous!!!! Come do minnnnneeee!!!!!! Sounds like you had a fun weekend, minus the whole cleaning a sick house :( Hope he is feeling better! That is the worst!

You gals clean up nicely and you look gorgeous in that dress! Your friend does both hair and makeup? It's like you went to the salon without the expense. Sounds like such a fun day and i'd probably prefer the Oakes to the Derby because it's not as crowded but basically the same set of events.

Your dress! You are stunning! Autocorrect screwed up a tweet and I didn't notice until Michael told me a few hours later and I was like, "Do I delete it?" I'm glad I'm not the only one who considers those things hahaha.

You guys look so pretty!! My husband went to the infield at Preakness back in college and oh boy, from what I hear it was not classy at all. I would only go if we could sit in the stands! Looks like Oaks is super fun, jealous of your pic with the Vineyard Vines truck!

You looked FAB (as always)! So, I'm reading your teenager story and laughing at myself, because I am guilty (after having a *few* drinks) of going off at a teenager at an emo band concert. My Chemical Romance. No shame. The show was fantastic. But, I overhead a teenage girl whine "what is this lady who looks like my mother doing in front of me? I'm the teenager. I should be in front." ohhhhhh...I wasn't nice. I'm sure she has a story to tell all her friends about that one time some crazy old lady bitched her out at a concert. ha!

Why the heck would you be rude to someone who just did you a favor? I don't think anyone would've faulted you for slapping that fool... Y'all looked nice! Since Oaks is cheaper and less crowded, I don't know why I never went. Minus the teenagers, it sounds like fun.

So, so fun!! I need Megan to come and do my makeup for my dance show this weekend, LOL. Love all of your insider tips and tricks and yeah...heels would not be a good choice for an all day standing event! And I swear...Snapchat makes me misspell more words than Instagram. I can't even think about that. :/

you look stunning!! seriously gorgeous! and I love both of your hats. It's a bucket list item of mine to make it to the derby and wear a big fancy hat. I didn't even know about the Oaks but it sounds like a good option in place of the Derby, (minus the teenagers..ain't no body got time for that)

I did not know about Oaks at all so this was really interesting to read. I love what they do for breast cancer and that this event is female-centric! So neat.You ladies look absolutely fabulous, of course. Sounds like an amazing day! I might be persuaded to crash your party in 2017 ;)

You look fantastic! Teach my your hair ways - I am clueless. I can't even tell you how many times my feet are bleeding and blistered at Keeneland - but I WILL NOT take off my shoes. I'll take the pain over the shame.

That respect your elders comment has me ROLLING! And so true. I think I told you I've only been to one race (Foxfields, in VA) and I knew damn well to NOT wear heels, even though I was a heels all day every day kinda gal back then. Those idiot teenagers look so dumb barefoot, and can you imagine what her feet looked like at the end of the day?! Gross.

Holy wow you looked great! I really didn't know what Oaks was, so thanks for the explanation! That's really cool that it supports women's issues! And lol I remember you snapping that about all the teenagers there! I can't believe that girl was so rude to you, like seriously? I had something happen like that recently that just made me want to be like ugh, you can't talk to me like that, I'm an adult!